PA Senate Passes Bill to Bar Universities, Pension Funds From Divesting From Israel

Sen. Steve Santarsiero, who was a sponsor, disputed that the bill infringes on freedom of speech and said students and faculty will still be able to protest peacefully.

MIT Suspends Student Group That Protested Against Israel’s Military Campaign in Gaza

College presidents and other leaders have struggled to articulate when political speech crosses into harassment and discrimination.

There’s a Wave of New Bills To Define Antisemitism, Triggering Free Speech Debates

Supporters say it’s increasingly important to add a definition that lays out how to determine whether some criticism of Israel also amounts to hatred of Jewish people.

Biden Tries to Balance Protests, Free Speech Rights as Demonstrators Disrupt Events

The protests lay bare the tensions Biden is facing between the fallout from his handling of the Israel-Hamas war and the First Amendment rights of his critics to speak out.

Georgia Lawmakers, in Support of Israel, Pass Bill to Define Antisemitism in State Law

Sponsors say adopting the definition would help prosecutors and other officials identify hate crimes and illegal discrimination targeting Jewish people.

After Setbacks, Bill To Define Antisemitism in State Law Is Advancing in Georgia

Sponsors say it would help prosecutors identify hate crimes targeting Jewish people, but some critics warn it would limit free speech, especially in criticizing the actions of Israel.

Lawsuit Filed Against Harvard, Accusing It of Violating the Civil Rights of Jewish Students

The lawsuit alleges that the university tolerated Jewish students being harassed, assaulted and intimidated — behavior that has intensified since the Oct. 7 attack.

Antisemitism Policies at New York’s Public City Colleges Will Be Reviewed, Governor Says

Some activists voiced concern that the review could chill legitimate free speech rights and make people hesitant to express political opinions.